Nematomorpha

E408056

Nematomorpha are a phylum of parasitic, thread-like worms known as horsehair or Gordian worms, whose larvae develop inside arthropod hosts and whose adults are free-living in aquatic environments.

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All labels observed (1)

Label Occurrences
Nematomorpha canonical 2

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf phylum
adultFeeding do not feed or feed very little
adultHabitat freshwater
sometimes marine
adultLifestyle free-living
approximateSpeciesCount over 300 described species
bodyCavity pseudocoelomate
bodyDiameter very thin
bodyLengthRange a few centimeters to over 1 meter
bodyShape long
thread-like
bodySymmetry bilateral symmetry
circulatorySystem lacks specialized circulatory system
commonName Gordian worms
horsehair worms
cuticleType chitinous cuticle
development larvae develop inside arthropod hosts
digestiveSystemInAdults reduced or nonfunctional
distinguishingFeatureFromNematoda extremely long, hair-like adult body
parasitic larvae and free-living adults in water
ecologicalRole parasites of terrestrial and aquatic arthropods
eggLaying females lay long strings of eggs in water
etymology name means thread-shaped
fertilizationType internal fertilization
firstDescribed 19th century
gordiidaHabitat freshwater
hostImpact usually non-lethal until emergence
hostManipulation induces host to enter water
kingdom Animalia
knownFromContinents worldwide except Antarctica
larvalHostType arthropods
larvalLifestyle parasitic
larvalTransmission ingestion by host or penetration of host body
majorClass Gordiida
Nectonematoida
molting ecdysis
nectonematoidaHabitat marine
nervousSystem simple nervous system with dorsal nerve cord
notableBehavior emerging from host in water
notableHosts mantids
orthopterans
reproduction sexual reproduction
researchInterest model for host behavior manipulation
respiration cutaneous respiration
sisterGroupTo Nematoda
superphylum Ecdysozoa
typicalHosts crustaceans
insects

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Ecdysozoa contains Nematomorpha
Spiralia includes Nematomorpha